Track saws and table saws are DIY and woodworking power tools worth having. Yet, sometimes, it is not always necessary to have them all. That is why you have to make a crucial comparison of track saw vs table saw to determine which one you need.
It all depends on your intended activities. Picking the right saw depends on the material you want to cut as well as how you intend to cut your material. Yet, the choice is not always as straightforward as it sounds. You don’t have to worry about making the hard choice anymore. We have the solution for you. The detailed comparison of track saw vs table saw below will make it easier to choose the right saw for your tasks.
Track Saws In Detail
During woodworking or a DIY home improvement task, you will need a power tool that can make different cuts. The cuts are always long, short, fast, irregular, to mention a few. A track saw is one of the power cutting saws that you will need. This type of handheld circular saw works by sliding on a guide rail when in use. This allows you to easily make long and accurate cuts on your material.
Design
A track saw also allows you to bring it to the material rather than taking the material to it. In other words, a track saw features a portable and mobile design. Its track design also integrates unique features that help to enhance its functionality. The track allows you to line it against the material. Doing so allows you to get accurate readings thanks to its labeled measuring lines. This design eliminates the need for any guessing work.
Thanks to the clamps built on the track, the saw also helps to hold your material during operation. Thus, this makes your cuts more accurate and neat. And to make the operation easier, the track saw complements its portability with its size. Due to its narrow size and design, the track saw fit in tight spaces without the need for infeed or outfeed spaces.
Uses
Typically, track saws are generally used for long, straight, and accurate cuts. Whilst some of its uses may be like those of other saws such as table saws, Track saws also triumph in other tasks. These include cutting trim, ripping boards, and making splinter-free cuts on panels.
The pre-marked track measuring lines also make it ideal for use as a plunge saw. This is because you can set and track the precise depth measurements with the lines. Some of the common DIY scenarios you will find yourself better off with a track saw include;
- Cutting plywood on site
- Cutting messy drywall boards
- Cutting studs
- Laying wood flooring
Pros
- Built-in clamps to hold the material in place during operation
- Pre-marked tracks to prevent guessing work on measurements
- Its portable design allows you to carry and use it anywhere
- Tracks can be easily extended to accommodate different materials
Cons
- It may take considerably more time to set up before using it
Our proposed track saws:
- Makita SP6000J1 Plunge Circular Saw Kit
- Festool 575388 TS 55 REQ Plunge Cut Track Circular Saw
Table Saws In Detail
Table saws on the other end work great if you are looking to make many cuts. Both table saws and track saws feature a fast-spinning circular blade design. Yet, unlike a track saw, a table saw also features a high speed motor that mounted underneath a flat table. This design allows the blade to protrude from the table. Thus, during operation, the saw rises from the table and fall to control how deep your cuts will be.
Design
A table saw features a more powerful motor. The motor allows it to cut thicker pieces of materials including hardwood. Its powerful motor design also gives it endurance. Thus, with a table saw, you can cut more high volumes of material without ever needing to break. So if you have a busy workshop or expect to work with large volumes of material, a table saw comes in handy.
Uses
Generally, a table saw is ideally designed for large volumes of material. Its powerful motor also allows for repetitive narrow cuts on thicker materials. Some of the common uses of a table saw include:
- Ripping or cutting larger wood boards to smaller ones
- Cross-cutting or cutting wood to length
- Making beveled cuts
- Cutting rabbets (towards the edge of a wood panel)
- Cutting grooves (towards the center of a wood panel)
- Cutting joints
Pros
- Built for repetitive cutson a lot of material into smaller sizes
- Its versatile design allows you to use it for numerous applications
- It makes cutting easy because you can control the positioning
Cons
- Takes up a lot of space
- It can be dangerous if not used the right way
Our proposed table saws:
- DEWALT DWE7485 Table Saw for Jobsite
- Shop Fox W1819 3 HP 10-Inch Table Saw
Similarities – Track Saw vs Table Saw
So far, we have observed how these power tools have distinctive designs. Yet, they also bear similar traits. Their most common similarities are their fast-spinning circular blade. Whilst they are both cutting tools, their functional characteristics are quite different. Even their most distinct designs are different.
Differences – Track Saw vs Table Saw
Some people can afford to have both a track saw and table saw. However, if you are on a tight budget or tight on storage space, it is worth knowing which one is a better choice. After all, you may never use the other even if you invest in it.
Design
Track saws are quite portable and light. This means that you can move around with them and take them where the material is. Table saws on the other end are immobile; meaning that you have to bring the material to the saw. However, because of their immobility, they can securely hold your material in place.
Spacing
Because of their portable design, track saws are compact in nature and can fit narrow spaces. Table saws on the other end take up quite a bit of space. This because table saws are immobile and designed to work with thick and large material.
Cutting
Track saws can make clean, accurate, and smooth cuts on material such as plywood, MDF, and some solid woods. Furthermore, track saws can easily cut through any material that is not 90 degrees angled. You can position the track rails perpendicular to the material you want to cut. This means that you can even make irregular shaped cuts easily and precisely.
Table saws on the other end make more repetitive cuts from thick large pieces to smaller pieces. Whilst track saws work on thinner material, table saws accommodate thick ones. Thanks to their versatility, you can also use table saws for a more variety of cuts. You can rip boards, cross-cut, and even do joinery, just to mention a few.
Both table saws and track saws boast a fast-spinning circular blade. Yet, the table saw’s blade protrudes from under the table. This means that when you are using a table saw, you have more control over your material. So during operation, your cutting will be easier and precise.
Safety
It is also easier to work on your own using a track saw and ensure accurate and safe cutting of heavy and large pieces. Additionally, track saws also boast an innovatively safe design such as covered blades. Covered blades and cutting action account for fewer accidents compared to table saws. Though they feature safety add-ons, table saws are still considered dangerous during operation.
Set up
Track saws take up time to set up. You need to make pencil marks for the cut and align the tracks correctly with the line. You also have to hook up the dust collector, just to mention a few tasks. A table saw is pretty much pre-setup.
Environment
When using a track saw, your working environment is relatively clean at all times. This is because a track saw comes with a dust collector. Placed near the dust creation area, it makes collection easier to, leave your space clean. A table saw isn’t as comprehensive in dust collection.
Which Is Better Track Saw Vs Table Saw?
The comparison of track saw vs table saw showcases just how handy each of these saws is. Yet, the fact still remains that you don’t always have to invest in both saws. Prized with portability, and lightweight build, a track saw allows you to use it for many cuts.
As a handyman or even as a DIYer, you can carry it anywhere. So if you are looking for a mobile tool you can take with on your job sites or gigs, a track saw is what you need. Or should we say, if you need a saw to take to your materials, a track saw is ideal. Plus, it is also safer to use.
However, if you are looking for a powerful motorized saw packed with versatility, a table saw is what you need. You might have to spend a little more on a table saw, but, it is definitely worth the buy. You can cut both small and large materials, and its design guarantees that the cuts will not flop.
